Louisville, KY (October 1, 2013) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 Office announces safety improvements on the ramp from southbound Interstate 65 to westbound KY 1065 (Outer Loop).A high friction surface treatment, transverse rumble strips and high visibility striping will be installed on the second curve of this ramp at the intersection of the Outer Loop and Minors Lane.

“A high rate of vehicle runoffs and roll-overs have occurred in the second curve of this exit ramp. The goal of this project is to improve safety by reducing roadway run-offs,” stated Matt Bullock, Chief District Engineer for the Department of Highways District 5 Office in Louisville.“The high friction pavement will act to reduce lane departures.The current flashing beacons will also be relocated to provide more advanced warning of the curve.”

Other safety improvements include replacing the existing lighting, upgrading the advanced warning signs and improving the traffic signal at Minors Lane/Outer Loop.High mast lighting will be installed to improve illumination through the curve and at the intersection.

Overhead signs will be replaced on two of the trusses.Supplemental yellow plaques will be included on the bottom of the new signs indicating the advisory speed for negotiating the curve.

The traffic signal at Minors Lane and the Outer Loop will be upgraded to include overhead “No Left Turn” and “No Right Turn” signs to discourage wrong-way movements.Supplemental signal heads will be installed on the ramp approach.

To accommodate these improvements, the exit ramp from southbound I-65 to westbound Outer Loop will be closed for one weekend.The ramp will be closed from 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11 until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14.Motorists should follow the signed detour via southbound I-65, westbound KY 841 (Gene Snyder Freeway) and northbound KY 1020 (National Turnpike).

In addition, access from westbound Outer Loop to Minors Lane will be closed during the same time.A signed detour will be in place directing motorists via Air Commerce Drive and Edlin Lane to Minors Lane.

KYTC awarded this contract to Davis H. Elliot Company in the amount of $274,690.The contract completion date is October 21, 2013.

The actual starting date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5.